Location: Elyria Performing Arts Center - (EPAC)

600 West Avenue

Elyria, Ohio 44035

* Be sure to use this address for directions, as it will take you to the correct parking lot.

 

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Tech/Dress Rehearsal – Monday, June 15, 2026

Dress Rehearsal is mandatory. Absences will only be approved under extreme circumstances and must be submitted by email to Mary Jo no later than Monday, May 18th. Any student absent from dress rehearsal will not be permitted to perform in the show, unless prior approval has been granted by Mary Jo.

 

3:00pm – (Tuesday Show) ~ Please arrive at 3:00 (No early arrivals please), change and be ready to start at 3:30pm

6:30pm – (Wednesday Show) ~ Please arrive at 6:30 (No early arrivals please), change and be ready to start at 7:00pm * *Please note that the Tiny Dancer classes of the 6:30 rehearsal will rehearse first after the Finale and will then be released. Of course, if preferred, they can stay and watch the fun experience!

 

The emjaez team will be in the lobby to greet you and direct you to the appropriate dressing room. We will do our best to stay on schedule. 

Please keep your schedules free and clear of conflicts for both dress rehearsal and show days. This allows our dancers to focus entirely on their performances and stay stress-free. Everyone has worked very hard and deserves full attention and commitment on these important days.

 

Why a Dress Rehearsal?

The dress rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with the auditorium surroundings and feel comfortable with their performance, costume, lighting and being onstage. Lighting, music cues and all other logistics for an organized and professional performance are rehearsed so that the students and staff feel prepared. Even more importantly, it gives the stars of our show a chance to get up and rehearse on the big stage – a very different environment than they are used to within the studio walls. They can overcome some of the jitters that may hit when the bright lights come on and really prepare themselves for show day. It is a fun and rewarding experience and a great chance to bond with their friends and watch some inspiring dancers as they wait for their turn in the spotlight.

 

There’s another big reason why attending the dress rehearsal is important…One of the main objectives of our curriculum is to teach the spirit of teamwork and commitment to classmates. When dancers miss the rehearsal, it can cause confusion for the remaining students- an absence affects spacing and timing. 

 

Guidelines for a Seamless Dress Rehearsal…

Arrival

We run an organized dress rehearsal, and your cooperation helps ensure a smooth and professional rehearsal for everyone involved.

• Please arrive at your scheduled time (see above). emjaez staff will be available to direct you to the appropriate dressing room. 

• Due to dancers changing, we ask that males dropping off a female dancer do not enter the girls’ dressing room, and females dropping off a male dancer do not enter the boys’ dressing room. If your dancer needs assistance changing, please ask an emjaez staff member for help. 

• Dancers should change into the costume for the first dance they are performing. Since this is a public venue, no costume changes may take place in the auditorium, restrooms, or lobby. 

• Once dressed, dancers should proceed to the auditorium and sit with the class of their first routine.

• For the safety of our dancers, bare feet are not permitted in the lobby or backstage areas. Parents/guardians, please review this procedure with your dancer prior to arrival. 

• Announcements will begin once all dancers are seated with their groups. 

Your help and cooperation with these procedures are greatly appreciated.

 

Finale

The finale will be rehearsed in the studio during the final weeks of classes and all students will participate. After announcements, students will be organized in finale order. Running the finale at the beginning of dress rehearsal will allow students to leave after they have completed their dances if they wish. Dancers will rehearse the finale as it will be on show day. Please note: If you have multiple dances, you may not be in the correct costume for finale. This is OK! Although you will be dressed in your first costume, you will be with your last performance group in the finale run-through. Once the finale is rehearsed, we will begin the run-through of the show. Dancers are free to leave after their dances are completed, however, dress rehearsal will be the only time the dancers can watch the show in the audience. Please make sure your child changes out of costume before leaving the theater.

 

Run of the Show

Following rehearsal of the finale, with the exception of the first 6 dances, students will be escorted back to the audience to sit with their first performance class. It is important for dancers to stay with their class in the audience so that the show runners can easily locate each group. Dancers will be called backstage approximately 6 numbers prior to their performance and should be warmed up and ready to dance. Dancers will be escorted back to the audience once their dance is completed. Students with multiple dances will go to the dressing room to change into their next costume and then, will make their way back to the audience to sit with their next class, or remain backstage if within 6 dances. 

 

Dress Rehearsal Guests

One parent/guardian may accompany each student (or sibling group) to dress rehearsal. Please note that siblings and additional guests are not permitted. With the rehearsal dates provided in August 2025, we are hopeful that families have been able to arrange childcare so they can focus on their dancer’s big day . Please note that the studio does not provide supervision during dress rehearsal. Parents/guardians are responsible for supervising their dancer in the audience.

Anyone requesting an exception should email maryjo@emjaezdance.com  prior to Monday, May 18th.

 

Video and Photography 

Our show will be professionally videotaped; therefore, the dress rehearsal is the only opportunity for Parents/Guardians to videotape or take pictures during the show. For the safety of our dancers, flash photography is strictly prohibited.

No electrical outlets will be available, so be sure your batteries are fully charged. Tripods are not allowed into the auditorium. 

 

Food/Drinks for Dress Rehearsal

NO food or drink is permitted in the auditorium or in the dressing rooms at any time. Only water is permitted in the dressing room. Make sure all bottles are labeled with your dancer’s name. For dancers that are in both dress rehearsals, snacks/food can be consumed in the lobby at the tables provided. Please do not send your child to dress rehearsal with food or beverages that could stain their costumes such as juice boxes, Cheetos, or other sticky food and beverages. It is important they have something nutritious to keep their energy up as well as something that won’t stain – this means NO fast food, cheese snacks, chips, etc. 

Due to many allergies, NO nuts or nut products.